Familiar Chat

Common resident. A tame, rather nondescript small chat. Best recognised by its habit of repeatedly flicking its wings when landing or when hopping on the ground (like some other chats and Spotted Flycatcher), in combination with its striking rufous or orange rump and tail panels. Very similar to [Sickle-winged Chat], but edges of wing-feathers buffy and less obvious, tail pattern different, less contrast between upper parts and underparts and legs shorter. More dependent on rocky ground than [Sickle-winged Chat], but also occurs around stone walls and outbuildings on farms. Southern and eastern races (a) darkest and largest; Namibian race (b) palest and smallest. Tail deep rufous with dark central feathers and subterminal band. Immature told from immature of Sickle-winged Chat only by tail pattern. Frequently utters a characteristic ‘feeu… chak-chak’ and less often sings a soft, warbling song.